Whenever England have had injury problems in the past six years, Jonny Wilkinson has invariably been part of them. This time he isn't, but he has no desire to be regarded as a one-man solution to the current crisis.

The 30-year-old World Cup- winning fly-half is back in the national squad, fit and firing and ready for his first Test appearance since March last year. In the eyes of the nation, he is returning on a white charger, sword in hand, poised to resume duties as the trusty Red Rose knight on another rescue mission.

Sitting pretty: Jonny Wilkinson at the team hotel

Naturally, the modest man himself sees no such romantic image. He has overcome the knee injury which kept him out for 10 months and has seemingly ended his injury jinx. He has made an instant success of his move to French club Toulon and become a cult figure on the Cote D'Azur. He has won a place in Martin Johnson's elite squad and is all set for a comeback against Australia a week tomorrow.

He has left himself well placed to resume the role of icon that he held for so many years. But he does not want to be regarded as a catch-all answer to a desperate predicament, caused by the sudden torrent of withdrawals from the England ranks.

Asked about the popular belief that he can single-handedly guide England out of a tight corner, Wilkinson said: 'We've had that before and it seemed to end rather miserably. It's a funny story, but it just doesn't affect me and my decision-making.

'No-one more than myself looks round the changing room before a game and thinks, "Thank God I'm surrounded by guys like these". As a team you rise together and take falls together. As for that expectation -there are big-game players who will have a time where it's all about them, but you can be sure that is due to the effort of the rest of the team.'

Wilkinson has a unique perspective on the current spate of injuries which have so undermined England's preparations for their November Tests. Almost every part of his body has been damaged and repaired since 2003, so he knows all about the way fate can play cruel tricks. It is ironic that while the world's leading Test points scorer - he has amassed 1099 and counting - is in rude health, others are dropping all around him.

'It's been about six years since I was alongside Martin Johnson in an environment like this,' he said. 'It's been a funny six years.

'It gives me a bit of perspective on how unlucky some guys have been. For all the ways you try to look out for these things, it's a contact sport and these things happen.

'There's no real explanation for why things have turned around for me. I haven't done anything differently. I play the same way, try to do the same things, train the same way. I just try to use a bit more of my wisdom from the experience I've had.

'My definition of giving it everything I've got on the field has changed a little bit. My younger outlook was running headlong into everything. Now, I want to use the same energy but make sure I'm in the right position and doing the right things. I am equally aggressive but in more of a precision way, rather than an all-out, run-through-a-brick-wall way.'

Asked whether - during his endless spells of rehabilitation - he had ever doubted he would play for England again, he added: 'Yes, I probably did. I was out for a long time and when I did come back in, it was funny little cameo appearances and more lay-offs. It's an amazing feeling to be back.'

Trademark: Jonny Wilkinson prepares to kick a penalty for Toulon

Anyone who has witnessed Wilkinson in action for Toulon in the last two months will have recognised a man enjoying a new lease of life, not just because of the sun-and-sea lifestyle. He has relished being fit and just playing, playing, playing. With the run of games has come a return of the trademark assured touches and accuracy, the awareness and control. 'It's been a hell of an experience, that's for sure,' he said.

'It has been a challenge joining a new team and having to get the best out of them within a different culture. After being out for 10 months, the real test has been to get a feel for how a game is going and how to win it. 'What I've always been after, since the very first injury, is to get back and get a run of games to get that instinctive second nature again. That's been quite difficult when you play three or four games at a time.'

Having joined up with England on Sunday, at their Pennyhill Park base in Surrey, he has been savouring some 'flashbacks' from previous stays at the hotel, prior to the World Cup triumph in 2003. What has changed though is that he is now being cast as the experienced old-stager.

'It's funny actually, because I viewed Mike Catt as old when he was 28. I still don't see myself as being an older player, but I don't mind that at all.'

Next week, the likes of Danny Care and Shane Geraghty will look to the experienced man by their side for guidance and support. Wilkinson appears ready in body and mind to take on that responsibility. But he is absolutely not the knight in shining armour, riding to England's rescue, not in his eyes anyway.